Emotional closeness is a vital component of military life that helps build strong bonds between soldiers and their families during deployment. Deployment periods are often challenging for both the soldier and their family members, but emotional closeness can provide an effective buffer against the negative effects of separation anxiety and stress. Research has shown that emotional closeness can significantly reduce the risk of post-deployment mental health problems such as depression, PTSD, and marital distress. This article will explore how emotional closeness acts as a shield against these psychological consequences of deployment stress.
Definition of Emotional Closeness
Emotional closeness refers to the degree of intimacy and connection that exists between individuals. In military settings, it is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships between soldiers and their families while they are apart due to deployment. It involves sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences that create a sense of shared identity and belonging. Emotional closeness promotes empathy, trust, communication, and understanding between partners, which helps them cope better with the challenges of deployment.
How Emotional Closeness Helps During Deployment
When a soldier deploys, they face many challenges that may cause significant psychological trauma and stress, including exposure to combat or other high-risk situations. These circumstances can lead to feelings of isolation and detachment from loved ones back home.
Regular communication and expressing emotions through letters, emails, video calls, or phone conversations promote emotional closeness and help keep deployed personnel connected to their loved ones.
Soldiers who experience frequent communication with their partners during deployment report lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms compared to those who do not communicate frequently. Similarly, couples who engage in daily check-ins tend to have more stable and satisfying marriages after deployment than those who don't. As a result, emotional closeness is an effective buffer against deployment-related mental health issues such as depression, PTSD, and marital distress.
Ways to Promote Emotional Closeness
Soldiers and their family members can take specific steps to nurture emotional closeness despite physical separation. Some strategies include:
1. Sharing intimate details about daily life, thoughts, and feelings regularly.
2. Establishing clear expectations and boundaries around communication frequency.
3. Fostering shared interests and activities that create opportunities for connection even when physically apart.
4. Engaging in meaningful conversation that goes beyond small talk and explores deeper topics.
5. Practicing active listening and responding empathetically to each other's needs.
6. Seeking support from trusted friends or counselors to discuss challenges and concerns.
7. Prioritizing quality time together whenever possible, whether virtually or in person.
8. Building a network of social support among family members, friends, and fellow soldiers.
Emotional closeness plays a crucial role in the psychological well-being of deployed personnel and their families. Regular communication and sharing intimate details promote this closeness, which acts as a shield against the negative effects of deployment stress. By taking proactive steps to foster emotional closeness during deployment periods, military couples can strengthen their relationship, build resilience, and maintain strong bonds despite physical distance.
How can emotional closeness act as a buffer against the psychological consequences of deployment stress?
Emotional closeness can provide individuals with a sense of comfort, support, and security that may help them cope better with the psychological impact of deployment stress. This is because it can create a feeling of connection and belongingness, which can help individuals feel less alone and isolated during times of distress. Additionally, emotional closeness can provide individuals with a sense of social support, which has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health and well-being (e. g.